Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2024
29. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of work-related credit cards that have been issued to each Irish ambassador, deputy ambassador or equivalent, and consul general, to date in 2024, in tabular form [40116/24]
View answerThe Department is making increasing use of electronic methods of payment for improved security and more efficient business practices. To facilitate this, credit cards are issued to Diplomatic Missions where there is a specific business need, including a regular pattern of low value or infrequent payments, a need to make online payments, or where suppliers require a hold to be placed on an order for goods or services e.g. meals for visiting delegations or hotel accommodation in advance of the event. In most cases, these credit cards are assigned to the senior staff, i.e. Ambassadors, Deputy Ambassadors and Consul Generals.
Extensive controls are in place governing the use of credit cards. All cards are approved centrally by the Finance Unit in Headquarters on a case by case basis and may only be used to arrange for payments that have been dual-authorised i.e. by two members of the team. Each transaction is accounted for in the Department’s Financial Management System and reviewed centrally as part of a robust monthly reconciliation and reporting process.
Diplomatic Missions issued with credit cards in 2024 to date are set out in the table below.
|
Diplomatic Mission |
|
Abu Dhabi |
|
Ankara |
|
Athens |
|
Atlanta |
|
Beijing |
|
Berlin |
|
Bratislava |
|
Brussels Embassy |
|
Brussels Permanent Representative |
|
Canberra |
|
Chicago |
|
Copenhagen |
|
Geneva |
|
Lisbon |
|
Islamabad |
|
Madrid |
|
Milan |
|
Munich |
|
Ottawa |
|
Santiago |
|
Stockholm |
|
Toronto |
|
Uganda |
|
Vancouver |
|
Zagreb |
